San Simeon

Travel Guide
Photo provided by WineCoastCountry.com
Ragged Point featuring rugged coastline, landscape views and a bay or harbour
San Simeon Pier as well as children
San Simeon showing marine life
Photo provided by WineCoastCountry.com
As the half-way stop between LA and San Francisco, this Big Sur beach destination is the perfect place to take a break and recharge.

San Simeon, along California’s rugged Big Sur coastal stretch, is a beach destination with a difference. While you can certainly swim or surf in its sheltered cove or fish from its pier, most people drop by to see its preserved “castle” and meet its fascinating elephant seals.

San Simeon, in San Luis Obispo County, sits between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both cities are about 230 miles (370 kilometers) away along Highway One.

Once part of a hugeranchorun by Mexican owners, the land was bought by the rich miner George Hearst in 1865. He soon expanded his ranch and built a wharf with a warehouse on the coast.

Visit the family’s impressive estate, Hearst Castle, on former “Camp Hill.” When his home was finished, Hearst renamed it “the Enchanted Hill” and with its mansions and views it isn’t hard to see why. Take a tour of the century-old complex and admire the Roman and Neptune pools in the gardens. Don’t miss the impressive Gothic Study in the Casa Grande, the main mansion.

Afterwards, throw a line in from the 850-foot (260-meter) San Simeon Pier or take a dip in the Pacific Ocean. The waters of Simeon Cove lend themselves to kayaking and surfing. Body boards can be rented locally, too. The day-use area of the William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach has picnic tables and barbecues, so bring your own supplies for a seaside lunch. Afterwards, stretch your legs by roaming the beach or by following the nearby trail up to the pine trees for lofty ocean views.

Just to the north of the park is the also free-to-access Piedras Blancas Rookery where there are northern elephant seals. Watch these odd-looking creatures doze, scratch, play and swim. While in the area, also tour the 19th-century Piedras Blancas Light Station.

Hotels line the highway on either side in San Simeon. In Cambria, just to the south, you can find many more accommodations as well as restaurants, shops and family attractions. This area may not have five-star hotels and services, but it’s a charming, laid-back region to visit, with some of the best beaches of the Big Sur.

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
3.5 out of 5
9415 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, CA
The price is €155 per night from 2 Dec to 3 Dec
€155
includes taxes & fees
2 Dec - 3 Dec
Book a stay at this beach hotel in San Simeon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,473 reviews)
"Hotel was great! Staff was friendly. Roxy was helpful"

Reviewed on 18 Nov 2024

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
3.5 out of 5
9135 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, CA
The price is €96 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
€96
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Simeon. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,143 reviews)
"Room with fireplace is huge and very comfortable. Area is perfect. Staff is very helpful."

Reviewed on 21 Nov 2024

The Morgan Hotel San Simeon
Silver Surf Motel
Silver Surf Motel
2 out of 5
9390 Castillo Dr, San Simeon, CA
The price is €62 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
€62
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in San Simeon. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Good price, good room"

Reviewed on 15 Nov 2024

Silver Surf Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fabulous, Oceanfront Condo in San Simeon! Beautiful Views, Great Location!
Fabulous, Oceanfront Condo in San Simeon! Beautiful Views, Great Location!
San Simeon
Book a stay at this beach condo in San Simeon. Enjoy a beach locale, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Moonstone Beach Park and Hearst ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (25 reviews)
Great Relaxing Ocean Time
"House, View, Beach all excellent!"

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2024

Fabulous, Oceanfront Condo in San Simeon! Beautiful Views, Great Location!
One of a kind property- An Acre on the Ocean & Classic Beach Cottage
One of a kind property- An Acre on the Ocean & Classic Beach Cottage
San Simeon
Stay at this cottage in San Simeon. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Moonstone Beach Park and Hearst Castle are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
Great getaway
"First, Justin was an outstanding host. He was very communicative yet very respectful that this was a quiet retreat. Justin‘s place is definitely a labor of love. We appreciated how very clean this place was and that he provided cleaning supplies. There is tons to explore in the area, but, I must ..."

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

One of a kind property- An Acre on the Ocean & Classic Beach Cottage
Fantastic Condo with Forever Views in Cayucos
Fantastic Condo with Forever Views in Cayucos
Cayucos
Stay at this condo in Cayucos. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Brown Butter Cookie Company and Cayucos State Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (100 reviews)
Amazing condo
"Lovely, clean, well appointed home right on the main drag in Cayucos. Comfortable and homey. Wonderful view! The only thing that's not amazing is the lack of shade on the slider in the living room. You don't want to block that amazing view..... But if you are trying to watch a movie or just chill ..."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

Fantastic Condo with Forever Views in Cayucos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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